For 50 Years, Little Milton's Blues Were 'Alright'

Published August 5, 2005 at 10:00 PM MDT

Little Milton died this week at the age of 70, ten days after suffering a stroke. He learned to play guitar and sing the blues from his father, "Big Milton Campbell," a musician in the Mississippi delta. At 18, Little Milton made his first recording with Sun Records, and launched a career that would thrive for half a century.

He went on to record hits such as "The Blues is Alright," "We're Gonna Make It," and "Little Bluebird."

He was still touring this year, and last performed just three weeks ago at the North Atlantic Blues Festival.

Peter Guralnick, a leading expert on American blues and rock 'n' roll, reflects on Little Milton's career.